As a gang investigator, I found that when my case involved project gangs or when the crime occurred in or near the projects, the Housing Authority or Housing Police were the best source for information.

When I first joined the LASD I saw many of these same fine traits in most of the sergeants and lieutenants I worked for. My measure of the leadership ability of these supervisors was; "would I follow this person into combat?" And the truth is that most of the time I could answer yes.

I would have them imagine that we were going on a trip to a faraway land, to a country and a culture with very different customs, clothing, family values, and religions. We were going to visit a place where various warring tribes spoke different languages.

You are now in the middle of a kill zone between two rival and highly agitated gangs. You watch in slow motion as they drop their wounded and draw their guns. It is as though they cannot even see you or recognize your uniform or police vehicle. You are not the intended target, but you could easily be collateral damage.

LASD SEB (SWAT) was called in. They approached the structures in an armored car. Suspect Kueck engaged the SEB vehicle with his .223 assault rifle giving away his position. A heavier LAPD SWAT armored battering ram was brought up and tear gas was fired into the wooden structure.

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